June 2014 Retakers Forum

[Nonconsecutive]

Well I'm newly deciding to retake in June and havn't sniffed an LSAT since June 2013(got a 167). Where should I start do you think?

I had a similar gap as yours (slightly bigger). For me personally I just did a PT to see where I was at and to jog my LSAT memory a bit. It reminded me a few strengths and weaknesses, after that I got back into drilling. The PT was sort of a "jolt" back into LSAT prep for me.

[dasani13]

Well I'm newly deciding to retake in June and havn't sniffed an LSAT since June 2013(got a 167). Where should I start do you think?

I had a similar gap as yours (slightly bigger). For me personally I just did a PT to see where I was at and to jog my LSAT memory a bit. It reminded me a few strengths and weaknesses, after that I got back into drilling. The PT was sort of a "jolt" back into LSAT prep for me.

I've had one of those long breaks as well. It helped me to revisit one of the books that I used (Bibles, trainer, etc). I reviewed the highlighted stuff and the review at the end of each of the chapters before starting a PT schedule.

[Hurricane211]

Well I'm newly deciding to retake in June and havn't sniffed an LSAT since June 2013(got a 167). Where should I start do you think?

Yay someone new to share my boat with! I started by taking a PT; a bit into that test I began to feel like my nearly 10 month break from prep was a 10 day break. I thought it was a great jolt back into LSAT life. I picked up The LSAT Trainer and have been going through the lessons. I have yet to decide on a PT schedule, but I plan on developing one shortly. Overall, I'd say take lots of PTs, discover your weak sections, and drill those between tests. Good luck! Let us know what prep strategy you decide upon. I for one would be interested to know!

[Hurricane211]

Do all y'all think it's best to read the stimulus first, or the question stem? The LSAT Trainer says question stem, PowerScore says stimulus. I'm probably stuck on reading the stimulus first. I have since the beginning of my LSAT journey many moons ago.

[Nonconsecutive]

Do all y'all think it's best to read the stimulus first, or the question stem? The LSAT Trainer says question stem, PowerScore says stimulus. I'm probably stuck on reading the stimulus first. I have since the beginning of my LSAT journey many moons ago.

I'd recommend giving the "stem first" method a shot. I started off with the stimulus like you and even after reading multiple posts and guides recommending the stem I stuck to my method. However, I eventually decided to give stem first a try, and while it did feel awkward at first, it greatly increased my speed overall. My score increased as well. I don't necessarily think that stem first is what caused me to answer more questions correctly, but the time it saved me allowed me to focus more on the harder questions, which in turn increased my average score by 1 or 2 points per section.

What I eventually came to do was just very quickly glance at the stem, identify the question type, then read the stimulus. This was a huge improvement over my prior method which often involved reading the stimulus twice.

[Reboot_the_Robot]

PT 56 (@ busy public library)

LG: -3 (wtf also ran out of time for last question) -> Didn't do a warmup section, either, probably contributed
LR 1: -4
LR 2: -3
RC: -3 (pretty happy with this)

Raw: 87
Score: 168

I forgot to grab an extra section to make it a 5 section test- dumb of me not to have my folder ready to grab and go. Oh well.

I took 56 this weekend too, and that last LG question was WEIRD. Something about the wording really threw me off.

[rebexness]

Do all y'all think it's best to read the stimulus first, or the question stem? The LSAT Trainer says question stem, PowerScore says stimulus. I'm probably stuck on reading the stimulus first. I have since the beginning of my LSAT journey many moons ago.

I always used to do the stimulus first, but then I realized I wasn't paying attention to what I was ACTUALLY supposed to be doing. So many of my errors were due to picking an answer I liked regardless of what I was asked to do.

I switched to stem first this fall when I studied and I really think it helped a lot (didn't have enough time to perfect the technique then, but I think I'm on my way now)

[Hurricane211]

Do all y'all think it's best to read the stimulus first, or the question stem? The LSAT Trainer says question stem, PowerScore says stimulus. I'm probably stuck on reading the stimulus first. I have since the beginning of my LSAT journey many moons ago.

I'd recommend giving the "stem first" method a shot. I started off with the stimulus like you and even after reading multiple posts and guides recommending the stem I stuck to my method. However, I eventually decided to give stem first a try, and while it did feel awkward at first, it greatly increased my speed overall. My score increased as well. I don't necessarily think that stem first is what caused me to answer more questions correctly, but the time it saved me allowed me to focus more on the harder questions, which in turn increased my average score by 1 or 2 points per section.

What I eventually came to do was just very quickly glance at the stem, identify the question type, then read the stimulus. This was a huge improvement over my prior method which often involved reading the stimulus twice.

Thank you for the advice! I will give the "stem first" method a try. Those few points per section add up!

[Hurricane211]

Do all y'all think it's best to read the stimulus first, or the question stem? The LSAT Trainer says question stem, PowerScore says stimulus. I'm probably stuck on reading the stimulus first. I have since the beginning of my LSAT journey many moons ago.

I always used to do the stimulus first, but then I realized I wasn't paying attention to what I was ACTUALLY supposed to be doing. So many of my errors were due to picking an answer I liked regardless of what I was asked to do.

I switched to stem first this fall when I studied and I really think it helped a lot (didn't have enough time to perfect the technique then, but I think I'm on my way now)

Thank you for your input! Hopefully, I can make the swap like you did!

[dd235]

Ya definitely stem first! That is one of the few good things to come out of Kaplan for me

[dasani13]

This is the PT schedule we came up with last night. It is not finalized yet-- the PTs from the last few weeks will change around because we want to take PTs 69-72 at least 2 weeks before test day. We do start with 48 tomorrow (under real test conditions and BR after), however, and anyone who would like to review with us can join. We'll probably be reviewing tomorrow (Wednesday) around 8:30pm EST. Any questions or suggestions, just let me know!

[jk148706]

PT 71 for me today. Never before seen.

[iiibbystar]

This is the PT schedule we came up with last night. It is not finalized yet-- the PTs from the last few weeks will change around because we want to take PTs 69-72 at least 2 weeks before test day. We do start with 48 tomorrow (under real test conditions and BR after), however, and anyone who would like to review with us can join. We'll probably be reviewing tomorrow (Wednesday) around 8:30pm EST. Any questions or suggestions, just let me know!

Hi Dasani13,

Thank you for posting the PT schedule! I would like to review PT 50 with you guys. What time on Wednesday April 9 will you guys be reviewing?

[bohemiandaisy]

We talk around 7:00 Pacific time. PM me or Dasani to join our Skype study group

[dasani13]

We talk around 7:00 Pacific time. PM me or Dasani to join our Skype study group

Yes, I'm available every night after 8pm EST to review so any time after that for me.

[jk148706]

Great PT set up guys. Would join y'all, but I'm already deep into my own schedule, which included 71 today. Why didn't I take this in December? Dat curve...

[santoki]

quick question: anyone know when the Feb2014 LSAT will be released? Will we have it before June's administration?

[rebexness]

quick question: anyone know when the Feb2014 LSAT will be released? Will we have it before June's administration?

It won't ever be released, its non-disclosed.

[santoki]

quick question: anyone know when the Feb2014 LSAT will be released? Will we have it before June's administration?

It won't ever be released, its non-disclosed.

Ah sorry, that was a dumb question. February tests

[dasani13]

quick question: anyone know when the Feb2014 LSAT will be released? Will we have it before June's administration?

It won't ever be released, its non-disclosed.

Ah sorry, that was a dumb question. February tests

Lol, I forgot about that too.



Ignore PT 72 on the schedule above.

[Hurricane211]

Thank you for posting the PT schedule you created, Dasani! Am I correct in thinking we take the exam sometime that day individually and then in the evening we blind-review together on Skype? I am very interested in joining, although I do not yet have a good chunk of those PTs. Is it at 8:00pm eastern time you review always?

[withoutapaddle]

I got two schools in the top 50 to accept the June LSAT

I don't know if this is a good thing or a bad thing to be honest

[dasani13]

Thank you for posting the PT schedule you created, Dasani! Am I correct in thinking we take the exam sometime that day individually and then in the evening we blind-review together on Skype? I am very interested in joining, although I do not yet have a good chunk of those PTs. Is it at 8:00pm eastern time you review always?

Hi, yes, you are correct. I'm flexible with timing so I can be available whenever is best for everyone. We're reviewing PT 48 tonight around 8-9pm EST. I took it last night and I'm still pissed about how bad I did in RC.

[loomstate]

what are your guys' sleep and eating schedules like? right now going to bed around midnight and I'm eating breakfast around 8:30.. then light snack/coffee before taking a PT at 12:30 (hopefully I can mimic this on test day). any recommendations?

[rebexness]

what are your guys' sleep and eating schedules like? right now going to bed around midnight and I'm eating breakfast around 8:30.. then light snack/coffee before taking a PT at 12:30 (hopefully I can mimic this on test day). any recommendations?

I have been waking up at like 10am, eating some toast and a redbull, then testing at 12:30.
I am debating about trying to do a workout first to burn off excess nerve energy, but the likelihood of my lungs being functional in june (lolallergies) means that i probably wont be able to.